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Politics for Fantasy Fiction: Government, Tax & Services

There are many government types. In fantasy writing, it’s good exploring
unfamiliar political methods. These are some options when world
building.

Types

Autarchy - A
single entity, that may, or may not, employ others to assist leadership.

Oligarchy - Groups
of people run things. They can include the rich, nobility, military leaders,
certain races, sexes or anything else of your choosing.

Theocracy - In
this government type, perceived deities rule society.

Democracy - Citizens
having voting rights on leaders or laws define democracy. Some citizens may
still not get the vote. Historical examples include criminals, the mentally
ill, women and homosexuals. Being restricted from democracy can cause people to
rise up, overthrowing government or forcing through inclusive changes.

Monarchy - A
royal family rules, but can delegate tasks to loyal subjects.

None - Do
people need governing when society works without one?

ELECTIONS

You may decide on how citizens can choose their leaders. Here are some
options.

· Family -
Each family head is a leader.

· Voting -
Votes denote leaders, but are prone to rigging.

· Council -
Committees choose leaders.

· God -
Divine means decide leadership.

· War -
Conquest victors receive the glories of battle.

· Social -
A reformation of government forces new leaders to power.

· Game -
A winner of a challenge such as mental or athletic can be leader.

· Random -
A random selection decides the leader.

· Hereditary -
One family will always rule.

· Choice -
With a lack of an heir, a ruler can choose a successor.

PARTIES

This gives a good scope of the political spectrum. I have given names to
some to describe their policies, but some will be familiar.

The colours used are deliberate. They reflect parties across our world,
although America confuses the red and blue.

Left & Right Parties, From Extreme to Moderate

Orange Revolutionaryvs. Brown Nazi

Red Communistvs. Black Fascist

Pink Liberalvs. Blue Conservative

Issue Parties

Yellow Antiroyalistvs. Purple Royal

Bronze Non-Believervs. Gold Religious

Silver Charitablevs. Green Environmental

White Neutral

STANCES

After deciding your governmental focus, you can explore what taxation stances
they take. The function of government is to take money via tax, and
redistribute it to other areas that are needed i.e. services.

TAX

There are many types of taxation imposed on citizens. You can write your
own history for why they are in place. Here are some examples, but you may
think of more that are suited to your fantasy worlds. This isn’t a complete
list. Taxes from country to country vary.

From Citizens

· Income -
From Pay

· Health -
From Pay

· Pension -
From Pay

· Inheritance -
From Deceased

· Travel -
From Foreigners

· Wealth -
From Rich

· Gambling -
From Stakes

From Companies

· Expatriation -
From Ex-Nationals

· Corporate -
From Profits

· Unemployment -
From Companies

· Bank -
From Money Lenders

· Tariff -
From Importers

· Environment -
From Polluters

From Companies & Citizens

· Property -
From Landowners

· Stamp -
From Transfers

· Capital -
From Profits

· VAT- From
Purchases

· Poll -
From Population Count

· Road -
From Drivers

· Inflation -
From Money Holders

SERVICES

Would your world citizens stand for taxation without receiving some kind
of benefits? Perhaps your citizens can plan revolts after government
oppression.